Holiday Harmony: How to Help Your Dog be a Well-Behaved Thanksgiving Guest

Dog enjoying thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with loved ones, and for many of us, that includes our beloved pets! Whether you’re planning to bring your dog to the festivities or have guests in your home, it’s essential to consider your pup’s unique personality and needs. With a bit of preparation and flexibility, you can ensure your dog stays happy, comfortable, and safe during the holiday. Here’s how to set your dog up to be the perfect dinner guest—or gracious host—this Thanksgiving.

Consider Your Dog’s Unique Needs First

Before you make any decisions, take a moment to assess whether your dog is suited to a Thanksgiving gathering. Some dogs thrive in social settings, while others may be uncomfortable or anxious around large groups or unfamiliar faces. If your dog is sensitive to new environments, easily stressed by people, or prone to being overly excitable, you might want to consider leaving them in a calm part of the house or arranging for them to stay home.

Separate Space: If hosting at home, set up a cozy, quiet space away from the main festivities where your dog can relax. This could be in a spare room or even in a crate, if that’s a comforting option for them.

Stay-Home Option: If you’re a guest, you may find that your dog will be happiest and safest staying in the comfort of their own home. Make sure they have plenty of exercise before you leave, and set them up with engaging toys (like a work to eat toy) while you’re away to make the day easy for everyone.

Practice Calm Greetings

With all the excitement of guests arriving, even the best-behaved dogs can get a little too enthusiastic. Have you ever wondered about how to keep your dog from jumping on guests? Here’s how to help your dog greet guests calmly and keep those paws on the ground:

  • Use your Leash: When guests start arriving, keeping your dog on a leash allows you to manage their excitement and prevent dashes for the door. Keeping the leash on for the duration of the evening can also help you prevent other unwanted behaviors – like snatching food off the table! – as well. 
  • Prevent jumping up: Before opening the door, keep some treats in hand. Tossing a few treats on the ground as guests come in can direct your dog’s focus downward, helping them keep all four paws on the floor and avoid jumping.
  • Set Up a Safe Entry Zone: To reduce excitement and prevent accidental escapes, consider keeping your dog behind a gate or in another room until all guests are inside. This way, your dog can meet people gradually once everyone is settled, making for a calmer, more controlled greeting.

Train Your Human Guests

Even with the best preparation, sometimes it’s the humans who need a bit of training! Help your guests understand the boundaries and expectations you’ve set for your dog, so they don’t accidentally reinforce behaviors you’re trying to avoid.

  • No Feeding from the Table: Politely let guests know that feeding your dog from the table is off-limits. This helps prevent begging and keeps your dog from developing the habit of hanging around the table in search of handouts. Instead, you can suggest that your guests give your dog small pieces of safe food (plain turkey without the bone, plain sweet potato, etc) in their bed, or in the kitchen in exchange for a polite sit or paw!
  • Encourage Calm Greetings: Ask guests to help reinforce good manners by ignoring any jumping behavior. Explain that paying attention to your dog only when they have all four paws on the ground helps them learn that calm behavior earns rewards.
  • Provide Alternatives: Provide your guests with fun and productive ways to interact with your dog. For example, they can practice your dog’s favorite tricks in exchange for approved treats, or bring everyone along for a nice after dinner digestion walk!

Happy Thanksgiving!!